Resources for Owners

The Alaskan Klee Kai was developed in Alaska by Linda Spurlin and her family, to be a companion-sized version of the Alaskan Husky. From the early 70’s through 1988, the Spurlins carefully selected dogs who met their high standards for appearance and soundness. In 1988, they made the Alaskan Klee Kai available to the public. Mrs. Spurlin originally called her new breed the “Klee Kai of Alaska”, but in 1995 it was changed to “Alaskan Klee Kai”. In 1997 the breed is officially recognized by the United Kennel Club.

The ancestry of the Alaskan Klee Kai included a pinch of American Eskimo, a dash of Schipperke, a splash of Siberian Husky, and some undisclosed small breed dogs added to the foundation Alaskan husky. Today, the Alaskan Klee Kai is a pure breed dog recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) in the United States.

The Legend (as told by developer of the breed – Linda Spurlin)

Somewhere within the Great Land called Alaska, between the massive mountains, the vast oceans, the silent tundra, and the endless sheets of ice, the Glacier Witch looked down and smiled at the bright eyed, tiny form in front of her. After rescuing it from the icy waters and drying it before the fire, it appeared somewhat smaller than before, and she was pleased. For the little husky’s smaller size would make it an ideal companion. She searched the various native dialects, and deriving the name from the Eskimo words for “little dog,” she christened the masked creature “Klee Kai.”